Energetics of the Solar Rotation.
Abstract
The energetics of the solar differential rotation is considered in the light of recent observational studies of sunspot motions by Ward. It is shown that Ward's calculations of the correlation of longitudinal and latitudinal sunspot displacements imply a systematic conversion of horizontal-eddy kinetic energy into kinetic energy of the mean zonal flow This conversion is therefore directly opposed to the effect of molecular and eddy viscosity. The conversion rate is such that, if the conversion were totally suppressed while other processes were allowed to continue, virtually solid-body rotation would be achieved within a few solar rotations Some of the energy sources available to maintain the kinetic energy of the large-scale horizontal eddies against these conversion losses are briefly considered.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- April 1965
- DOI:
- 10.1086/148201
- Bibcode:
- 1965ApJ...141.1119S